"I'll go upstairs..."
It was Christmas and Lena was racing down the stairs, waving a candy cane, shouting "Joyeux nöel, joyeux nöel!"
Standing motionless Mme. Ronde wept softly, handkerchief to her face, hating the thought of finding her dead, wanting to hope.
Jeannette glanced at Orville who was watching his aunt. She put her arm around Mme. Ronde's waist but she was not willing to accept assistance.
"No ... no..."
Facing Orville, she asked:
"Why did she have to die while I was away?"
"The priest was with her."
"The priest was with her!" she scoffed. "Who wants to die alone with a strange priest?"
She sat down.